WASHINGTON — Two dozen House conservatives are threatening to oppose a sweeping defense policy bill over a provision on immigration.
The measure in question says the Pentagon should review whether immigrants brought illegally to this country as children should be allowed to enlist in the military. It would apply to those granted a temporary deportation deferral by the Obama administration.
The provision was an amendment to a nearly $612 billion defense policy bill, added during committee consideration last week. The amendment was written by Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and included with the support of six committee Republicans.
Twenty-five Republicans led by Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama have signed a letter calling the language “controversial” and saying its inclusion is a “severe threat” to passage of the defense bill.
